With gorgeous pieces of fabric spread out on workstation tables and irons and measuring tapes in full use, the interior of KIKNU, StFX’s Indigenous Student Centre, hummed with fellowship and activity Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 as StFX Indigenous students gathered to make their very own ribbon skirts.
It was part of a two-day ribbon skirt/shirt workshop hosted by Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey in partnership with Indigenous Student Affairs offices at post-secondary institutions across Mi’kmaki. Workshops were held at most Atlantic Canadian institutions.
“It’s threads that literally and figuratively will connect those individuals,” says Ann Sylliboy, Post-Secondary Consultant with Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey.
Ms. Sylliboy says it’s the first time for the event and they wanted to create connections and community by having students from across Mi’kmaki do the same activity at the same time.
At StFX, students were thrilled to take part.
“Any opportunity to connect with other Indigenous students and feel the culture in a university setting feels good,” says Alice Frost, a third year BASC in Health student from the Yukon, the proud owner of her first ribbon skirt.
“Any chance to practice the culture is great,” says Ms. Frost, who notes that over the years, due to a variety of reasons, a lot of the arts and culture was lost to younger generations. It’s terrific to see the resurgence and to have opportunity to learn the traditions, she says.
Cheyenne Toms, a human kinetics student from Enfield, NS, says the workshop is awesome.
“I never thought I would have the opportunity to wear my own skirt that I made.”
Ms. Toms, who already owns two ribbon skirts, says she will proudly wear her new skirt to pow wows, smudging ceremonies, and events like Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Making the skirts together with other Indigenous students is special, she says.
“It feels like a close-knit community. It’s good to have these connections.”
Ms. Sylliboy says sometimes students can feel isolated, and it can be hard to be at university. The idea behind the workshop is to stitch together the skirts/shirts while stitching together a new network.
“It’s an attempt to bring something fun and enjoyable and to have the students come together, trying it across the region.”
Ms. Sylliboy says they opted for the ribbon skirts/shirts workshop as many women today are wearing ribbons skirts, “which are incredible and beautiful.” The skirts, while worth every penny, can be expensive and not something every university student can afford.
“Why not offer a space for people to make one and have one.”
Not only will students get a ribbon skirt from the experience, Ms. Sylliboy says they hope they receive much more in terms of a stronger sense of community and a stronger support network.
“That’s what we’re hoping. We hope they develop friendships, meet new people or reconnect to people they always see.”
For the students, making connections with the Indigenous Centres on each campus is also positive.
Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey gifted each school with a sewing machine and provided the material at each institution to make 10 skirts and two shirts. Each sewing kit, put together by staff at Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, includes fabric sourced from a local Mi’kmaw store, ribbons, thread, glue, safety pins, and elastics as well as two shirts. As part of the partnership, each school hired workshop facilitators. Janean Marshall and Molly Peters led the StFX workshop.
The sewing machines will stay at each school and Ms. Sylliboy says the hope is they will be well used for future projects as students will be able to sew quilts, shawls, blankets, or whatever they like.
